An incredibly rare and highly sought-after piece of baseball memorabilia is about to hit the auction block. A 1915 Boston Red Sox team postcard, featuring none other than the iconic Babe Ruth in his debut season, is set to be the star attraction in an upcoming auction later this month. With just ten of these graded postcards known to exist, this find is a remarkable opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike.
The renowned auction house, Heritage Auctions, is preparing to present this historic item in its highly anticipated February Platinum Auction. This particular postcard holds the distinction of being the highest-graded example of any Babe Ruth rookie year card, earning a PSA rating of 6. With a pre-sale estimate suggesting a potential price tag of over $1 million, this auction promises to make waves in the world of baseball memorabilia.
The postcard itself showcases the Boston Red Sox team, proudly labeled as the “American League Champions.” This title points to the postcard’s issuance timeframe, likely before or during the 1915 World Series. Sitting prominently in the back row of the team photograph is none other than Babe Ruth himself.
During the 1915 World Series, the Red Sox chose to host their games at Braves Field, the stadium belonging to the city’s National League team, rather than their home ground, Fenway Park. The decision was made due to Braves Field’s larger seating capacity compared to the relatively new Fenway Park at the time.
One intriguing aspect of the postcard is that it identifies each member of the Red Sox team by their surname and playing position. Of course, the focus is on Ruth, who is seen standing next to another rookie pitcher, Carl Mays. Mays, who would later join Ruth in playing for the 1920 New York Yankees, is infamously remembered for a tragic incident in which his pitch struck and killed Cleveland player Ray Chapman in August of that year. The postcard also features other Hall of Famers such as Tris Speaker and Harry Hooper.
Interestingly, this auction follows the recent sale of a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth card, which fetched an astonishing $7.25 million. It is worth noting that both the 1914 and 1915 cards have the same graded population of ten each, further emphasizing their rarity and desirability among collectors.
Heritage Auctions has described this 1915 postcard as one of the most significant trading cards ever to be offered in the hobby’s auction market, underscoring its historical value and rarity.
As the auction bidding is set to commence on February 2nd, baseball history collectors and fans of Babe Ruth alike are eagerly awaiting this significant event. Whether it will ultimately exceed the estimated $1 million price or even surpass the record-breaking sale of the 1914 Babe Ruth card remains to be seen. Nonetheless, this postcard represents a unique opportunity to own a piece of baseball history and a tangible connection to the legendary career of Babe Ruth himself.